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Color Space Models
In the ChromaDepthTM 3-D process the third dimension of depth is encoded into an image by assigning color information to represent depth information. The details of the color-to-depth assignment is called a color space model. The most commonly used color space model for ChromaDepthTM 3-D is the RGB on Black model. This color space model most closely mimics the coloring of natural scenes (Example 1). In this model foreground elements are colored red, background elements are colored blue, and the spaces in-between are colored according to a rainbow spectrum from red to blue. (Example 2). The intermediate depth colors are created by blends of green with red (creating orange, yellow, yellow green, and green as the red value is reduced and the green value increased) and by blends of blue with green (creating blue-green, cyan, and various blue hues). The key is that adding green to either red or blue moves the color towards middleground, according to proportion of green in the mixture. Green is thus the middleground anchor that manipulates the depth of the color mixture. Red and blue are not mixed with each other because they separate into distinct color planes when viewed with the ChromaDepthTM 3-D Glasses. The color assignment formulas are not linear. See our ChromaDepthTM 3-D Color Pallette page for more details. For the actual functions for calculating the right colors, go to our algorithm page. If you want to calculate color values by spreadsheet, download our MicroSoft Works Color Value Calculation Spreadsheet.
The
inverse of the RGB on Black color space model also works, with the complimentary
subtractive colors replacing the three primary colors (cyan replaces red,
magenta replaces green, and yellow replaces blue on a white
background). You can create this effect by creating a RGB on Black
image and then passing it through a color inverse filter in a graphics program. (Example 3)
There is one other effective color space model that we are aware of. In this model, called the RWB on Black model (Red-White-Blue; the Patriot Model!),
white replaces green as the middleground anchor color. (Example 4). Adding white to either red or blue
moves that color toward the middleground. (Artists call this creating
a tint of a color, the more white that is added the lighter the tint.)
In this model, as in the RGB on Black color model, pure red is maximum foreground and pure blue is
maximum background. As white is added to red it moves it back towards
middleground. As white is added to blue it moves it forward to middle-
ground. This kind of coloring is often seen in commercial art. A
recent poster of the Batman and Robin movie character 'Mr. Freeze'
shows the blue-to-white part of this color model to great effect,
entirely by accident.
An image created using the Patriot Model can be converted to a Cyan-Black-Yellow on White model by passing it through an inverse filter, but this does not create an effective color space model! (Example 5).
There may be other color models yet to be discovered. Please let us know if you find others!
